Judge Moran Public Boat Ramps Remain Open with Restrictions

TYLER — On Monday, Smith County Judge told KTBB that public boat ramps and lakes in the county remain open, “under the order I issued on Friday, one of the essential activities that is still allowed is recreation activities.” Judge Moran continued, “we still want folks to recreate in a safe manner, but that means keeping social distance while they are doing that. As it relates to boat ramps or boating, or fishing activities, if they can that safely by themselves, in a boat on the lake, that would still be permitted under the order.”

The Smith County Judge went on to say, “they could not certainly take part in an activity that would put a number of people in the same boat.” As far as travel outside of Smith County, “if folks are looking to get out of the county, and go to another county for a period of time, they are not going to get stopped. We have made clear that the police and law enforcement out there are not stopping folks and asking them where they are going. They do not need any specialized signage in their windshield or letter with them to indicate where they are going and what they are doing.” To date no one has been fined or ticketed for social distancing.